Rating: 84.4%

Our Rating

Rating: 84.4/100. The ProForm Smart Strider 695 CSE with 18” elliptical path offers an affordable way to cross-train with the fun of iFit’s virtual outdoor workouts. Equipped with moving arm bars and pedals that use silent magnetic resistance, the Smart Strider is gentle on your frame as it sculpts your whole body and revs up your metabolism.

This fitness machine’s main source of challenge is the effectively 18-pound drive, which is tied to 20 resistance levels. Additionally the ProForm 695 CSE has a power incline for extra challenge and honing in on different muscle groups: As the incline shifts up to 10 percent, the emphasis of your lower-body exercise naturally adjusts upward from your calves to the quads and glutes. Your metabolic rate also naturally climbs with the challenge of an incline. The many benefits of using the Smart Strider incline include better lean muscle definition, improved bone density, a faster resting metabolism and more.

ProForm Smart Striders are well-equipped in terms of motivation. The 695 CSE arrives with 24 quick-start workouts to help you train efficiently and see results quickly. It’s also ready for iFit’s many benefits including Google Maps™ training routes. Additionally the console has iPod-compatible speakers and can display your tablet computer or smartphone for use during workouts.

Other specs include oversized pedals, soft-grip upper-body workout arms, a workout fan and a foldable steel frame. The factory-direct warranty includes lifetime coverage for the frame and two years for parts. Any labor expenses are free during the first year of ownership.

Pros:

Rear drive stability

Arrives almost fully assembled

Cushioned pedals and handgrips

24 preset workouts

20 resistance levels

18-pound effective flywheel

10 percent power incline

iPod-compatible (2” speakers)

Grip heart rate sensors

Ledge for tablet computer

Water bottle holder

Workout fan

Steel frame has lifetime warranty

Holds up to 300 pounds

Space-Saver® design (Folds for storage)

Transport wheels attached

Cons:

No wireless heart rate receiver

Customer service has a reputation for being slow

Introduction

The 695 CSE is a new ProForm Smart Strider elliptical model for 2017. With a sale price of just $799, it’s one of the lower-priced rear drive ellipticals available with iFit. Key specs include an 18” stride, an 18-pound effective flywheel, a 10% power incline and 24 preloaded workout programs. Here’s a look at the 695 CSE’s electronics, mechanics and warranty.

Workout Programs

The Smart Strider 695 CSE has 24 preloaded workout programs to help you work on endurance and calorie burn at different challenge levels. Each program adjusts the machine’s resistance to match recommendations from a certified personal trainer. The programs draw from 20 resistance levels that are produced with an 18-pound effective flywheel, so they’re a good match for most beginners and intermediate trainees.

iFit workouts are an optional add-on with a monthly or yearly iFit subscription. iFit is an all-in-one fitness app that lets you download an unlimited number of workout programs, plus it has a digital workout calendar and other helpful features. You can use your own computer, such as a tablet connected to the elliptical, to use iFit with the 695 CSE elliptical. Three major categories of workouts are available. Most prominent in ProForm ads are the iFit workouts built with Google Maps™. With iFit Google Maps™ workouts you can choose from suggested routes or draw your own. Virtually visit anywhere that Google’s team has mapped, and the Smart Strider will automatically adjust its incline to mimic the topography. Depending on the route, you’ll also get a streaming Google Street View as you train. Additionally iFit lets you download video workouts and customized personal training workouts anytime.

ProForm Smart Strider 695 CSE Features

The 695 CSE elliptical has an 18” footpath. For comparison, the industry standard for supporting natural strides is about 18” to 21”. The shorter you are, the more likely you probably are to give this machine a positive review.

For extra cardio challenge and muscle toning, the pedals can be tilted up to 10%. The incline can be controlled by workout programs and with console buttons.

The Smart Strider 695 CSE has an 18-pound flywheel. With digital controls you can alternate among 20 resistance levels.

Moving arm bars help tone your upper body and increase calorie burn.

This Smart Strider is topped with ProForm’s Round Watts Display. The console’s Watts readout takes your weight into account and uses color-coded lights to indicate your exertion level. At the same time an LED screen shows basic workout stats.

Pulse can be shown after a few seconds when you grip sensors built into the handlebars.

To help keep you cool, the console has a two-speed fan and a drink holder.

For quick and easy storage this machine has a Space-Saver design and transport wheels. When unfolded its dimensions are 80” long x 32” wide x 65” high.

The Smart Strider frame is built from commercial-gauge steel and is under lifetime warranty.

Warranty & Guarantee

ProForm also provides a 30-day money back guarantee on all of its factory-direct cardio trainers.

Conclusion

The $799 ProForm Smart Strider 695 CSE is one of the lower-priced rear drive ellipticals designed for 2017 and is a good starter elliptical for many trainees, particularly people who aren’t so tall. While this model doesn’t feature ProForm’s latest HD display technology, it can show iFit’s motivating high-def programming on the rider’s own mobile device. We’d be sure to check out the whole ProForm line before committing though, as a more advanced Smart Strider with integrated touchscreen is occasionally on sale for less.

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